Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) erased any doubt he was the strongest man at 58th Tour de Romandie after cruising to a dominant victory in Sunday’s 20.4km individual time trial to sew up the overall title.

Hamilton widened his 19-second lead to a 1-minute, 43-second victory over second place Fabian Jeker (Saunier Duval) to successfully defend his title in the demanding Swiss race on a course much more difficult than last year’s.

The dominant win further confirms Hamilton’s status as one of the top contenders for the 2004 Tour de France, which the 33-year-old said is already on his mind.

“I came to the Tour de Romandy with no pressure,” the New Englander said after the race. “My goal is definitely the Tour de France. I’m aiming for a spot on the podium, but I think I'm capable of winning it.”

If Hamilton’s performance is any indication during the six-day Romandie course -- which included two difficult days in the Swiss Alps and Sunday’s challenging time trial course with a climbing finish to the Olympic stadium – he enters the Tour as one of the favorites to dethrone former teammate and five-time defending champion Lance Armstrong.

Hamilton won a stage and finished fourth overall despite breaking his clavicle in the first stage of the 2003 Tour.

Sunday’s stage victory and overall title are the first victories of the 2004 season for Hamilton, who left Team CSC to join the unproven Phonak team that will start its first Tour later this summer.

Just like last year, Hamilton won the final-day time trial to take victory. This year he did it with his new Phonak team, keen to show it was up to the task of delivering Hamilton into the lead.

The team rode well, winning a stage with Alexandre Moos to grab the jersey in stage three and then protecting Hamilton during two grueling days in the Swiss Alps en route to winning the team trophy.

Slovenian national champion Tadej Valjavec stepped up nicely Saturday to help Hamilton hold off Jeker and Saunier Duval Leonardo Piepoli as the pair attacked up the Category 1 Crans Montana climb. Piepoli held the final podium spot by just 1 second over Valjavec, who will now lead Phonak in the Giro d’Italia (May 8-30).

Ronny Scholz (Gerolsteiner) set an early fast time on the challenging course which dropped down a steep run to Lake Geneva, pushed along the lakeshore against blustery winds before the final 7km climb to the Olympic stadium.

Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) blasted through to trim 18 seconds off Scholz’ time despite leaving the start-gate early. McGee – who won the opening prologue and held the leader’s jersey for three days – had to restart.

“The official told me 30 seconds and I put my bike on the line and set off, and then suddenly he said, ‘No, not yet,’” McGee said. “It's quite difficult when you're concentrating on the race and something like that happens. But in the end I was still quite focused. This race has given me a lot of confidence. I will be a different rider in the future.”

There was no doubt, however, once Hamilton hit the road. He set the fastest intermediate split and caught Piepoli, who then fought back and stayed just ahead of Hamilton.

Hamilton delivered an even more impressive win than last year, when he won after taking victory at Liege-Bastogne-Liege the week early. Now Hamilton will take a short break before he begins his final assault on the Tour.

Race Notes
* Hamilton’s teammate Alex Zülle didn't start Sunday after crashing on the descent off Crans Montana in Saturday's stage.

* American Tom Danielson (Fassa Bortolo) finished the day in 23rd place, with a time of 28:13. That put Danielson 18th place overall, finishing the five-day race 12:16 down from Hamilton’s winning time and the best performance of his fledgling European career. Before the start, Danielson said he hoped a strong performance might open the door for him to ride at the Giro d’Italia.

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